Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-10-01
FEATURES OF FAIR.
North CAROLINA SOLDIERS TO CAMP
ON TIE GROUNDS.
Preparations Being Made for the Exhibi-
tion-The Military Display-A
Prize Drill, &c.

lie C&LlDlt4OI uaNS OF the DJt'c
Fsir this year are October the 2g.h,
18th, and 18th.
Excepting the racing and the geod
view visitors get Of the stock. the frs,
day is never very satisfactory. Many
Of the articles OF interest are not in
place, and it is quite the usual thing
for The most attractive halls to be closed
while the Judges make their examine
tions and awards The second day is
"thc big day, and on the third day ex-
hibitors begin TO get ready TO move OF.
Thus it comes about that the exhibition
is practically concentrated and crys-
tallized into one day.
THE FAIR-GROUSDs.
The society have this year made
some improvements in the grounds,
the most observable Of which is the
Horticultural Hall, which will stand in
the space between the octagoually
shaped art and Mineral Hall AMI the
western entrance OF the ladies' pavilion.
Here, it is hoped, there Will be fine
display Of oil the products of the gar
den, including fruits, floral displays,
&c.
The entries indicate as good fair as
usual but the people want to see one
vastly better than ordinary, and es-
pecially do they crave novelties.
so,iETHISG UNIQUE.
It is said that this year there will be
n marriage under an awning 20 be
placed in front of the presidents house
on the Foir-Grounds. The young cou-
pie are very respectable people, and
are from one of the SoUthside counties,
aud Tie society is strictly in the line OF
agricultural development when they
encourage these two young Virginians
TO come forward and be joined IN the
bonds Of wcdlock. Who knows but
their example may operate most en-
cOuragingly, and cause hundreds 10 60
and do Likewise 10 the greater glory of
Virginia and advancement OF the farm
ing interests? st any rate the care-
mony viii attract great crowd, and
the ladies will hc sure TO enjoy this
unique feature, while the happy cou-
pie, if not averse to receiving presents,
may count upon being almost set up in
life hy donations which the enthusi-
asic exhibitors will be disposed 10
make Of plows, pigs, &c.
THE FAKES.
last Y ar there were some very pal
paLlc Violations of the state law with
respect to games Of chance, and at tnis
,zhibition the society means 10 b. a lit
ilc more careful about admitting "the
fakes"
In tie eyes Of many people the Fair
wcuid be no Fair without the presence
of the Lively fellows who offer tempt
ing fortunes in exchange for dimes and
qumt,rs. Those who can clearly con
l0m 10 the State law, and none others,
Will lie admitted. So it IS hoped that
there viii he amusement without ex-
cess games Of chance, but no gam
bling.
sOLDIEEs.
Tic Fair Grounds have been offered
TO the North Carolina troops as q camp
for twenty companies from that State
expected here on toe 27th to attend the
Lee monument cornerstone laying.
Ia 1851 tie old Iair-Grounds, ROW
Monroe Park, were the camp OF the
first soldiers that cane here from tae
South. Barracks and hospitals con
tiuucd TO bc maintainel there until
evacuation day. In 1865, when the
cholera was raging in Richmond, Ill"
United States army had n hospital
there for cholera patients. The new
Fair-Grounds those now III Use
were brought into service in 1851 a.
the rendezvous for Virginia troops.
Here the Virginia Military Institute
corps Of cadets were stationed as drill
masters. Here companies reported AMI
wee drilled and formed into regi-
mcuts. in the active days Of the strug-
gle il was a camp Of instruction for
couscripts, and also place where Con
federate prisoners of war returned here
from the North could stay until they
could 20 to their homes or TO their
commands. From the beginning to
the closing of the war tap Of drum and
blast of bugle were daily, indeed al
most hourly, sounds. Now once more
armed men Will ho in possession ; but
this time they viii bc on pleasure bent
They Will be the ilow OF the North
Carolina chiya,ry- of the hardy
fchters who from Bethel to Appomat-
tox gave daily proof Of their heroic
birth.
THE CORNERSTONE.
The features Of the Fair are this
year indissolubly linked to the celebra-
tion
The plan is to muster all the military
carly on the morning Of the 9th, pa
rade them through the principal streets,
and then proceed to themonument site,
lay the corner stone and hear the Ora-
ton by Colonel Charles Marshall, ana
then 20 to the FAIRGROUNDS.
Ii is believed that the cornerstone
ceremonies viii all be over by , Z. NJ.
Then the troops will proceed to the
Fair Grounds, where they viii be
lunchcd, and later Oh have Il dress-pl-
rade.
TuE REUNION.
Here on the FART Grounds there will
he the real reunion OF the occasion
Thousands and tens Of thousands will
be present, and many will there meet
for the first time who parted twenty
wears before. 1t ought to be made a
bright and Joyous day for all. 1t will
be such q commingling of the men Of
1SGl-'65 as we will probably never see |
again. Richmond cannot better honor
herself than in honoring her guests that
day, and all the ingenuity of our minds
and goodness of our hearts should then
show forth to the eud that our friends
may have a happy day and our reputa-
ton for hospitality remain untarnished.
THE PRIZE DRILL.
The society have offered premiums
TO the amount Of 500 for a competitive
drill. 10 take place at their Fair-Grounds |
on Friday, October %, lSS7-divided |
into three prizes: First prize, $3.50
second prize, Sl5o; third prize, SlOO |
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